New Plant Sciences Complex and Animal Health Center set to begin construction this month
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) has two new building projects scheduled to begin construction this month: the Plant Sciences Complex on the corner of Highland Drive and Mount Bishop Road, and the Animal Health Center off the upcoming Via Carta. To the beef unit (Building 16).
“The projects’ goals are to provide a hands-on teaching and learning space to meet the growing demand for environmental, animal health and science professionals,” CAFES Director of Communications Anne Marie Cornejo wrote in an email to the Mustang News.
The plant science complex will cover six acres and contain classrooms, laboratories, greenhouses, a produce packing and refrigeration facility, a farm warehouse and an automation and systems testing site, according to Cornejo.
Although he won’t get to see it during his time at Cal Poly, Simon Lisicki, a plant sciences student, said he thinks the Plant Sciences Center will be great based on what he knows about it so far.
“I’m excited that other people will be able to enjoy it,” Lisicki said.
The Plant Sciences Complex and Animal Health Center are expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
According to Cornejo, CAFES has one of the largest animal science programs in the country, and 75% of students start with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. While Cal Poly already has veterinary clinic The animal health center and two mobile units will focus more on caring for large animals, Cornejo said.
“The Charles and Claire Jacobsen Center for Animal Health is set to become an interactive, experiential animal facility that embraces hands-on learning, supporting the next generation of leaders in veterinary medicine, animal health care, and animal agriculture,” Cornejo wrote.
These two projects, with a budget of about $30 million, are being funded by donors and industry partners such as JJ Boswell, Taylor Farms, B Sweet Citrus and Charles and Claire Jacobsen, Cornejo said.
“The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences continues to invest in the future of food and agriculture to ensure its graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact in the industry,” Cornejo wrote.
The animal health center will include wet laboratories, a surgery suite, a dissection area, a covered outdoor area to examine animals and a mobile unit, according to Cornejo.
The construction of these projects is not expected to have any significant impact on university operations, although the parking lot outside the Crop Science Building (Building 17) will be closed, according to Cal Poly marketing communications coordinator Cassidy Church.
More information about these and other current construction projects can be found on the website Facilities management and development page.
